Tabulator



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TABULATOR Filed Aug. 17, 1940 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Feb. 24, 1942.

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TABULATOR Filed, Aug. 17, 1940 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVVENTOR JOHN MUELLER Feb. 24, 1942. J, MUELLER i 2,274,088

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INVENTO'R JOHN MUELLER A TOR NEY J. MUELLER TABULATOR 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Aug. 17, 1940 omN mmm

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AT ORNEY Patented Feb. 24, 1942l TABULA'ron John Mueller, North Bergen, N. J., Vassignor to Remington Rand Inc., Buffalo, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application August 17, 1940, Serial No. 353,029

6 Claims.

This invention relates to paper feed mechanisms and particularly to cooperative mechanisms adapted to controllably position separate sheets of paper for automatic feeding of the same in recording accounting and statistical machines.

In the present illustrative embodiment of the invention, the feed mechanisms are incorporated for use with a well known form of Powers tabulating machine to facilitate preparation of the monthly statements or bills of a public utility company. The separate preprinted entry designating forms handled in the machine, in the instant case, are adapted to receive a columnar listing of a maximum of ve printed entries therein, at the respective line spaces of the form containing such designations. The first printing line position of the individual forms corresponds with the monthly service charge designation. In line space relation thereto, other designating items included on the form are service arrears, appliance .cost and appliance cost arrears, a total of ve line spaces being provided for such indilvidual entries, one of the spaces containing no designation. Also, in the sixth line space position on the forms is included al total designation at which uniform line position on the paper sheets the mechanisms provided situate the forms, as the same pass through the machine, to receive a printed total entry of whatever previous entries were made thereon. By Way of illustration only, the feed mechanisms herewith shown and described. are designed to handle a specific size of individual paper sheets, as noted, in the disclosed type of accounting machine.`

The separate loose forms, retained in suitable stacked` or superposed relationship, are initially fed to the machine one at a time at evenly spaced intervals for successive desired handling by the associated feed control mechanisms provided, as

. same in a desired manner. One of the primary objects of the invention is to overcome such a tendency on the part of the paper sheets handled in the machine and thereby positively prevent failure of a proper initial feeding movement of the paper.

Another object of the invention is to form the stacked paper sheets in a curved or arched condition to thereby provide a definite feeding edge for each of the sheets.

A primary feature of the invention is to provide structure for supporting the stacked paper sheets in a curved manner to obtain an exact feeding edge for the sheets.

Another object of the invention is to strengthen the feedably retained paper sheet of the stack along the body of the same upon which the force for accomplishing a feeding movement is applied.

Still a further feature of the invention is contained in the provision of a reciprocatively mounted base for the paper stack depository upon which the sheets are retained in a uniform feedable condition.

Additional features of novelty include a curved edge picker knife and feed throat construction through means of which the curvedly supported individual sheets of paper are fed from the depository one at a time.

Another feature of the invention resides in the construction employed in the curved feed throat forming parts of the depository so that the same are readily adjustable.

A further feature is provided in the utilization of the picker knife to `retain the edge of the respective sheets of paper fed from the depository in tightly pressed relation against stationarily positioned feed rollers of, and controlled by, the long feed mechanism and thereby positively insure subsequent feeding movement of the sheets.

Another feature of the invention in connection with the compensating feed mechanism for thel the compensating feed mechanism by mechanism of the accounting machine at the proper interval in the operation of the machine, and otherwise, through other instrumentalities render such operating means ineffective.

Another feature of the invention is contained in the provision of novel long feed mechanism controlling devices and instrumentalities for inlp tiating operation of the same.

A further feature of the invention resides in the means provided through which the various feed mechanisms employed with the depicted accounting machine are associated for conditioning and operation thereof in synchronized relationship.

Other objects, features, and structural details of the invention will be apparent from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. l is a fragmentary, vertical, front to rear sectional view of the paper handling mechanism of a tabulating machine showing a suillcient number of parts to illustrate an embodiment ofmy invention therein, the section being taken on line I-i of Fig. 2:

Fi`g. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of the paper handling mechanism. as illustrated in Fig. 1, with various parts broken away for the purpose of clarifying the construction;

Fig. 3 is a right-hand side elevation of a tabulator head in which the present inventive concepts are embodied;

Fig. 4 is a left-hand side elevation of a tabulator;

Fig. 5 is a detail rear end view of the preferred form of two of the improved paper feed attachments, shown removed from position on the tabulating machine;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged section taken on line s-s,in1'1g. 1; v

Fig. 7 is a section taken on line 1-1, in Fig. 1,

of a portion of the paper sheet dispensing depository of the feed attachment showing the curvature of the parts defining the feed throat;

Fig. 8 is a section taken on line 3-3, in Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the detached related feed attachments;

Fig. 10 is a partial plan view illustrating the arrangement of the rollers in one of the attachments;

Fig. 11 is a section taken on line ii--i i, in Fig.

Fig. 12 is a side elevation particularly showing a portion of the long feed `control mechanism:

Fig. 13 is a section taken on line |3-i3, in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a detail front elevation of a part of the compensating feed mechanism;

Fig. 15 is a section taken on line IS-IS, in Fig. 14;

Fig. 16 is a detail view of a form of trip instrumentality, herewith employed, through which the compensating feed mechanism is conditioned for effective operation;

Fig. 17 is a detail longitudinal section of the righthand end of the platen structure showing the improved clutch by which the same is adjustably positioned:

Fig. 18 is a section taken on line I3-i8, in Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 is a section taken on line I9-I9, in Fig. 17, and

Fig. 20 shows a representative type of the preprinted bill sheet employed herewith.

With reference particularly to Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 14, and 15, the invention herewith shown and described is embodied for practical use with one form of the well known Powers tabulating machine, such utilization being illustrative only and not to be considered in any limiting sense. 'Ihe respective side, frames of the head unit of this accounting machine are designated at 20. The machine provides suitable differentially settable type carrier (not shown) adapted to operate in the usual manner with respect to the platen 2i, thereof. which is rotatably mounted in bearing members, such as shown at 22 in Fig. 14, situated in extending portions of the respective side frames 20 of the tabulator head unit.

vThe platen 2| is line spaced by a mechanism including the pawl 23 and ratchet 24, Fig. 15, in a manner well known in the art, and is yieldingly held by the customary spring-pressed detent 2l, shown in Fig. 3, acting on a toothed wheel 2l. The line spacing mechanism includes the connecting linkage shown in Fig. 3, the same being link 21, bell-crank 2l, link 30, pivoted member 3l and long link 32. This linkage is actuated to attain its purpose by the cooperating pin of the rock member 33, which engages the slotted portion 34 of the link 32 and is effective to move the linkage'iust prior to the return of the member 33 to its initial or normal operating position, in which the same is shown in Fig. 3. This portion of the machine is of customary construction, the member 33 being oscillated through the influence of the connecting arm 35 driven by the crank forming hub member 36, mounted for rotative movement, at the right-hand end of the main operating shaft 31 of the form of tabulating machine herein illustrated.

The total taking cam shaft 38 of the accounting machine shown is employed in the present l instance to condition the mechanisms embodying one feature of the invention for automatic operation, as will hereinafter be more particularly described, this shaft and one of the cams 40 thereon being indicated in Fig. 3.

'I'he patent to W. W. Lasker, 2,044,119, issued June 16, 1936, discloses and describes a tabulator having a substantially similar total taking mechanism.

A feed roller 4i (Figs. 1 and 14) arranged in spaced parallel relationship to the platen 2l is rotatably mounted in bearings provided in the same frames adapted to hold the platen. Suitable accessory rollers 42 and 43 cooperating with roller 4| are also provided, these rollers being a necessary addition to the feed mechanism of the tabulator when the attachments embodying the present invention are employed. The usual feed rollers directly associated with the platen 2i ar indicated at u and 45.

Paper feed attachments (Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 and 11) The feeding attachments embodying the invention are shown herein separated into two independently functioning, though related mechanisms for the cooperative handling of the paper. The rst of these mechanisms, in order of sequence of operation in the feeding of the paper, is designed to move individual sheets of the paper from a stack of similarly sized superposed sheets located in a suitable stationary retaining table or depository. The second mechanism is provided to positively receive the sheets as the same are fed from the first mechanism, to feed the separate sheets to a printing position and then to facilitate movement of the printed sheets to discharge the same to a suitable receptacle. In the description, the second mechanism of the attachment will be initially considered.

The frame for this portion of the paper feed attachment includes a right-hand side plate 50, a left-hand side plate 5| and a cross member 52 which secures the respective plates in parallel relationship. This frame is suitably mounted upon the top rear part of the upper framework of the tabulator head unit. indicated at 53', (Figs. 1 and 3), through means of the sidewise extende acuosa -ing bracket holding members 84 and 55 which are fastened in position by screws as indicated at 58.

Actual contact of the parts is accomplished in the present instance by the cooperating pin and hub construction illustrated, as designed in Fig. Z, at the right and left-hand portions of the machine respectively, at 51 and k58. The forward portion of this removable feed attachment is reinforced in xed relation to the tabulator head unit by means of the stationary supporting arms 60 and 8|, respectively, at the right and lefthand sides of the machine.

With particular reference to Figs. l, 9, 10, and 11', in the frame 50, 5I, and 52, are rotatably mounted, in parallel relation to roller 4| and platen 2|, the positively driven rollers 82, 63, and 84. These rollers secured to shafts 82A, 63A, and

l 84A, respectively, are actuated through means of the associated pinions 65, 86, and 61, which are fastened to the respective shafts of the rollers, the same beingsituated exteriorly of the frame plate 5|. Roller 4| is'driven from the platen 2| by gears |86, |81, and |88 (Fig. 14). Gear 58,

`mounted for free movement on the stub shaft projecting from the side plate 5|, connects the pinions 65 and 66. Pivotally mounted on extending arms within the side frames are situated the spring pressed rollers 1|, 12, and 13, the same respectively cooperating with rollers 62, 83 and 84. Frictional contact only is utilized to provide cooperation between the forward positioned rollers 62 and 1| The centrally disposed spring pressed roller 12-is urged against both roller 83 and B4 and is positively driven by means of pinconnecting gears 16 and 'l1 (Fig. 11) Within the V frame. The shafts of rollers 1|, 12, and 'I3 are indicated at 1|A, 12A, and 13A, respectively.

With reference to Figs. 1, 2, 5, 6, in particular,

`the first mechanism of the feed attachments is shown mounted to the rear of the frame 50, 5|, 52, and suitably spaced a desired distance from the rollers 13 and 64, the same having a frame composed of a rectangular shaped mounting base member 80 which is removably secured in position upon the upper portion of the tabulator head frame 53 in a desirable manner such as indicated at 8|, in Fig. 1. To the frontv of thel mounting member 80 is secured a U-svhaped bracket piece 82 (Fig. 5), the arms 83 and 84 of whichextend vertically and suitably support, therebetween, a cross member 85. A central horizontally positioned rod 88 extends from the rear of mountingV 80, being bolted, or otherwise secured, thereto, as shown at 81. A limit defining collar 88 is fixed to the end of the rod 86. yThe rod 86 provides a xed mounting on which is located a reciprocated base forming member, indicated generally at 80 (Fig. 2), for the paper retaining table or depository.

The reciprocatively mounted base 90 is secured by screws 8|, or otherwise (Fig. 6) to a slide member 92 engaged on the rod 86. An upwardly extending portion of the member 92 projects above the horizontal level of the paper table, the same being designated at 83, the surface of this portion of the base of the depository being curved or arcuately shaped, as indicated at 94, in -order to form the paper sheets in a curved condition to provide a definite feeding edge yfor the same. Besides the central transversely extending curved `paper supporting surface 84, end supporting 83 of the slide member 482.

The xed elements of the paper table or depository by which the individual sheets of paper are held in stacked superposed relationship include side brackets `88 mounted upon the U-y bracket 82. rear brackets |00 fixed to thebase `80 and a throat member |0| which is secured in a manner phereinafter described to the cross member 85. The movable base 80 upon which the paper stack rests in a uniform arched position is situated for reciprocative movement away from andtowards the throat member |0| and within the confines of the xed elements of the depository. Lugs |02, at the bottom of the slidable depository base 80 cooperate with the uppersurijace of the fixed base 80 to obviate any tendency on the part of the base to rock about the rod 86,.

Means for picking the lowermost of the individual stacked paper sheets from the depository is provided in the form of the picker knife |03, the same being suitably mounted on the projecting portion of the movable base 80 and having the same curvature as the surface 84 upon which the sheets are supported or rest. In its normal` or inactive position the picker knife |03 is positioned as shown in Fig. 1L.

A slide member. |04, also mounted on the rod 88, is suitably secured to a rearwardly extending portion |05 of the reciprocative base 80, as indicated at |06. The base 90 is reciprocated through the slide member |04, in the present construction (Figs. 2 and 4), the same being accomplished by means of a link |01, an oscillating armi |08 fixed i upon a rock shaft |09, which is mounted `in the side frames 20 at the rear of vthe tabulator head e mounted base 90 by contact of the same against the surface of the hub portion situated on the rear of the left hand side plate 5|, as designated at 3.

The feeding movement of the base S0 is obtained by influence of the spring |2, which holds the parts in an advanced normal or inactive position, as shown in Fig. 1, in which the arm vlimits against the hub, at H3, and the shaft |09 is secured in a position which through arm |08 and link |01 locates the reciprocative baseA 90, so

that the picker knife |03 is situated under the stack of paper sheets in the depository. A feeding movement of the base of the depository or table is accomplished as hereinafter described by a driving connection ycomprising a slotted link ||4,which engages a pin on an arm |22 (Figs. 2 and 4) xed in position on the extending portion of rock shaft |03. By means of this arrangedirectly upon and in conformity with (see Fig. the central curved supporting elements 3l and 31 yin the base, whereby the lowermost positioned sheet of the stack is always definitely formed to provide a uniform feeding edge. The respective ends of the paper stack preferably rest upon the end supports 35 and 36 in the depository base 3l. In this portion the individual feedable sheets are so positioned that their ends and center are approximately in the same horizontal plane as the point of contact of the feed rollers 13 and 64. Upon rendering link III ineffective in a manner hereinafter described, actual feeding movement is obtained by the return of the parts to inactive position under the influence of the spring I|2, the picker knife |03 engaging the defined edge of the lowermost of the paper sheets as the base 90 moves forward to arrive at its forward limiting normal position, the sheets thereby being moved or fed from the stack one at a time.

The stacked sheets are shown in the depository in Fig. 3, the same being designated at II5. Individual sheets of the paper fed from the stack are indicated in the drawings at IIS. In Fig. 1 therespective locations of the individual sheets in the machine are designated by I IBA, IIIB, and ||6C, I ISA indicatingthe position of a sheet after the first feeding operation; |I5B, the location of a sheet after operation of the long feed mechanism, at the first entry printing line position and HBC, the position to which the sheet is advanced by operation of the long feed mechanism prior to the discharge of the same into a suitable receptacle. A suitable loose plate I1 may also be employed to form a paper weight for the stack of superposed paper sheets located in the depository.

The construction described by which a defined uniform feeding edge for each of the individual sheets of paper is obtained, by reason of the provided arch in the paper, also stiilens or strengthens the body of the same in that portion-thereof upon which the picker knife is applied to obtain a feeding movement. The paper sheet is` strengthened along the depth of the arch or curve since it is supported on the base 00 during its feeding movement, the force of the picker knife contacting the curved feeding edge of the sheet being exerted in the direction of the depth of the arch.

A forwardly extending lower paper guide member IIB (Figs. 1 and 2) of a width corresponding to that of the depository is provided to direct the paper sheets to insure proper engagement of the same between the rollers 13 and 64 of the second feed mechanism attachment, this member being suitably connected to the front portion of frame 30. A number of curved upper guide members IIS, fastened to the front of the cross member 85, serve a like function to that of guide ||8 and further insure the proper initial positioning of the sheets with relation to the second feed attachment. Other curved paper guides, as designated at |20 and |2I, (Fig. 1) are employed in directing the sheets, the same being suitably mounted in a fixed position on the front frame of the tabulator head unit.

The respective feed attachments may be either ing operation of the machine. The attachments are so spaced and the degree of feeding movement of the nrst mechanism socontrolled that. when the picker knife of this mechanism feeds or moves individual sheets of paper from the stack in the depository, the same comes to rest in a normal inactive position. as hereinbefore described, in which the individual sheets are tightly pressed between and against the feed rollers 13 and 34 of the second mechanism, which rollers are, at that time, stationary. To accomplish this purpose, the distance between the normal position of the picker knife |03 and the line contact of the rollers 13 and 64 is arranged slightly less than the length of the paper sheets being handled in the machine.

Feed throat (Fins. 1, 2, 5,l aand s) The feed throat permits only single sheets of paper in the stack to be removed therefrom, the same forming a portion of the flrst feed attachment in the present instance. The throat is constructed by a central forwardly extending stationary member |30 (Fig. 1) suitably mounted upon the top portion of the frame 30 of the ilrst attachment. Inasmuch as this member projects above the horizontal level of the base or table 90, a slot |3| is provided in the forward body of the base in order to accommodate the same. The curved top surface of the front projecting portion indicated at |32 (Fig. 7) of the stationary member |30 forms the lower piece or base of the feed throat, the same being in a position in approximate alignment with the elevated curved surface 94 on the central supporting members of the movable table or depository base. 'I'he throat forming member |0| is shaped to have anarcuate lower end indicated at |33 and is adjustably mounted with respect to and above the portion |32 of the stationary member |30, these parts being spaced, slightly more than the thickness of a paper sheet, to provide a curved feed throat. insuring individual removal of the paper sheets supported in the manner hereinbefore described from the depository or retaining table of the attachment. The opposite end of the member |0| is constructed to include perpendicularly extending arms |34 by means of which the same is pivotally mounted on shaft |35. Springs |38 secured between a stationary mounting |31, fixed to the front portion of the cross member 85, and the arms |34 of the member I0| normally secure the same in vertical relation to the portion |32 of member |30 to form the feed throat. The

feed throat may be readily cleared of stoppage by lifting the throat member I0| out of its normal position after the paper sheets have been remcved from the depository. The shaft |35 which provides the pivotal axis, through which adjustment of the member |0I is effected, is eccentrically positioned in a settable tightly retained rotatable cylindrical member |33 located in the4 mounting |31. Radial openings |40 in the cylindrical member |38 form a means whereby the operator through use of a suitable tool, fitting the same, may set the member |38 to radially adjust the shaft |35 to obtain the required spacing adjustment for the parts defining the feed throat.

compensating feed control mechanism (Figs. 3, 14, 15, and 16) Reference is particularly made to my copending application S. N. 323,137 for a detail disclosure of the principal mechanism herewith utilized for effecting a Icompensating movement of the paper feed control devices so that each individual form paper sheet is properly positioned at the required line swpace on the formto receive a printed total entry thereon of the previously noted separate entries. The novelty expressed in the present disclosure with regard to this portion of the feed devices illustrated, primarily is contained in the associated mechanisms included therewith by which the same is automatically operated and restored to an effective position.

The feed mechanism as shown in the identified application includes a pinion |50 (Figs. 14 and 15) mounted to effect movement of theplaten 2|, meshing with a large gear |I. A yoke piece or carrier |5|A journaled on a stud shaft extending from the side frame of the tabulator head unit, straddles the gear I 5|, the same providing a mounting for a, further rotatable pinion |52 in constant mesh with gear |5I. A notched locking wheel |53 iixed to the side of the pinion |52 is engaged by a lock consisting of a square stud |54 projecting from a latch lever |55 suitably pivoted to one of the arms of the yoke piece or carrier. :A spring |56 tends to lift the square stud |54 out of engagement with the notched wheel |53. The latch lever |55 is adapted to be'l positively locked in engagement by a pawl |51 which is pivoted to the yoke or carrier |5|A and is yieldably held in engagement by means of the spring |56. f

The carrier I5 IA is urged forward in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. to obtain a, feeding movement of the paper by a lever |58, corresponding to the handle lever in the identified application for Letters Patent, and mounted as disclosed in detail therein. As the lever |58 is moved forward, the locked wheel |53 and pinion |52, restored and positioned in this manner in accordance with the present disclosure, force the gear 5| to turn with its carrier, which through pinion |50 and corresponding rotation of the platen 2| accomplishes a compensating feed movement of the paper. The forward stroke of the lever |58 and the yoke or carrier |5|A is limited by a post |60 suitably mounted and extending from the side frame of the tabulator head unit. At the end of the forward stroke, the post |60 is iirst struck by the tail 6| of the pawl |51, thereby releasing the same, after which the arms of the carrier limit against the post. With the pinion |52 in an unlocked condition the carrier |5| A and the lever |58 are then swung rearwardly in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 15 to a normal initial position by a restoring spring |62 (Fig. 14) the gear |5| remaining stationary and the pinion |52 freely rolling over the same.

In the present instance, the parts are arrested on the return stroke by a rearwardly positioned limiting post |63, the latch lever |55 remainingr in an unlocked position until operation of instrumentalities herewith provided. Until resto-` ration of the locking lever |55, the compensating feed mechanism is rendered inactive.

Inasmuch as the form of the paper sheets employed herewith provides -only for the printed entry of four separate line spaced items and a single printed total entry, the rst of the separate item positions and the total entry position always being in a given preprinted line thereon, the limiting posts of the compensating feed mechanism are herein shown set to permit a maximum movement of the same to Afeed the paper five line spaces. With such effective maximum compensating feed mechanism movement,

data is only entered by the machine in the first and last` designated line spaces on the forms.

The invention is obviously not limited to the` degree of compensating feed movement of the paper sheets herewith described.

- The means employed for restoring the latch lever |55 to locking position and thus condition the compensating mechanism for operation, includes a plvotally mounted spring-pressed finger piece |64, the side of which abuts a lug |65 on the lever to positively urge the same into this position.` The finger piece is situated on a plate |66 fixed to a rock shaft |61, journaled in the right-hand side plate 50 of the second feed mechanism attachment. Inwardly disposed with respect to the plate 50 is a further plate |68 (Fig. 16), also fixed to the shaft |61 and normally retained in a limiting position against a stud |10 through means of the influence of a spring` 1|. These associated parts normally retain the finger piece |64 in the position shown in Fig. l5, from which it is moved clockwise to fulfill its purpose. This is accomplished by a pointed member |12 mounted to oscillate with the rock lshaft |09, the samebeing located on the righthand side of the machine (Fig. 2). VThe member |12 cooperates with a lug |13 on the loosely retained arm |14 on shaft |61, movement of the arm being transmitted to the plate |68 through a limit pin |15 on the plate against which the arm is yieldably held by a spring |16. -When the member |12 is oscillated clockwise by shaft |09 the end thereof contacts lug |13 rocking the arm |14 and plate |68 counter-clockwise (Fig. 16) which results in the clockwise rotation in Fig. 15 of the plate |66, thus causing finger |64 to rock latch |55 into locked position to restore the compensating feed mechanism to effective condition.

A long paper feeding movement of the compensating mechanism is automatically effected in the present disclosure through means of a slide link |11 (Figs. 3 and 15), the position of the lever |58 with respect to this link at the time of operation of the linkdetermining the extent of the feeding movement of the mechanism, the same being sufiicient in each instance within the capacity of the present machine to feed the paper to theprinting line of the total entry position on the respective forms. The forward end of the link |11 has a longitudinally extending slot indicated at |18, the size of which is suiiicient to attain the present compensating feed action, the same slidably receiving a pin |80 suitably fastened to and projecting from the upper end of the lever |58. The opposite end of the link |114 (Figs. 2 and 3) includes'an oiiset portion extending in the same direction as the main body of the link, the same also being slidably retained by a pin and slot connection |8| on an extension upon the right-hand side rear of the tabulating frame. Link |11 is yieldingly held in a rearward position by means of a kspring |82 (Fig. 3). An arm |83 is pivotally connected to the side of link |11, as indicated at |84, the same extending rearwardly parallel to the offset portion of the main body of the link. When arm |83 is in alignment with the link |11, the same is reffective to cause movement of the lever |58 of the compensating mechanism, through said link, by the contact and of the oscillating member 33 in the last part of each operating cycle of the tabulating machine. A linkage arrangement consisting of a slide link |31, rock member |33, long link |90 and bellcrank |9|, is normally held in a raised position by spring |92, in which position an underlying pin |93 on the end of link |31 lifts the arm |33 so that it is out of the path of movement of the pin |35 on the oscillating member 33. This linkase provides means for disabling the operating link |11 of the compensating mechanism, the same also being controlled and rendered eifective through operation of the total taking cam vlll on shaft 93 of the tabulator which actuates the linkage, as shown, to lower pin |93 permitting arm` |33 to drop to a cooperative position 'with respect to pin |35.

The arm |33 is conditioned to eect a compensating feed movement of the paper sheets, by means of the linkage set forth, during the first forty degree travel of the entire one hundred and twenty degree travel of the cam 40 on the total taking cam shaft. 'I'his action occurs in the early part of a blank stroke cycle of a machine of this type which precedes the total taking cycle. Movement of the parts effecting the com` `anism and the single line space mechanism occurs under the joint influence of member 33, in the instant case, at the very last of the blank lstroke cycle.

Long feed mechanism (Figs. 1, 2, 4, 12, and 13) 'I'he long feed mechanism is adapted to effect a constant travel of the paper sheets from their position of line contact with rollers 13 and Il of the second feed mechanism attachment to a position with respect to the platen 2| in which the rst line to beV printed on in the preprinted form is properly located to receive the first entry to be made by the machine. This mechanism includes a main operating'gear 200 (Fig. 4) rotatably mounted on a stub shaft 20| secured to the left-hand side frame of the head tabulator unit. Concentric pinions 202 and 233 are rotatably mounted on a suitable stub shaft 223 (Fig. 4) flxed to the left-hand frame of the head unit of the tabulator, pinion 202 meshing with gear 200 and pinion 203 meshing with a further gear 203 which is mounted on a similarly situated suitable stub shaft 229. Gear 205 also meshes with pinions 53 and 61 secured to shafts 33A and 34A, respectively, on the left-hand side of frame plate of the-second feed mechanism attachment, this gear forming .the direct driving means for causing rotation of the respective roller elements 53 and 64 contained in the attachment. 'Ihe platen 2| is also driven by the long feed mechanism by means of gear 203 which meshes with a pinion 205 secured to the sleeve that provides the mounting for a ratchet |95, this movement of the platen being exerted through a pawl |33. Gear 200 is actuated at the proper interval during operation of the machine by the long feed control mechanism to effect this desired feed of the respective paper sheets.

Feeding of the paper sheet while in printing position is effected by either the compensating feed mechanism or the linespace mechanism without influencing -the long feed mechanism. This is accomplished by the pawl |94 and ratchet |95 connection (Fig. 4) associated with the platen 2|. In the cases specified, the pawl rides idly over the ratchet permitting movement of the platen in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in this figure without disturbing the mesh of gears 203 and 205 of the long feed device.

The cooperating parts of the long feed control mechanism are normally retained in the position in which the same are shown in Fig. 4, through the influence of a spring 206. 'I'he long feed is accomplished by rotating gear 200, and consequently the associated feed controlling gears in meshed relation therewith, through a constant determined distance to attain the desired purpose for the size of the sheets utilized with the machine. In accordance with the present disclosure gear 200 is operated by driving `connections comprising two similar trains of mechanism brought into effective operation with relation to the gear in such a manner as to lengthen the degree of movement of the same over that obtainable if only one of the mechanisms were employed. The similar parts of these mechanisms are designated by like reference numbers, one of the mechanisms being arranged to operate from the outwardly disposed side of the gear 200 and the other from the inwardly disposed side thereof, as clearly shown in Fig. 13. The partsfinclude plates 201 pivotally mounted on the stub shaft 20| and suitably located in spaced relation to and on opposite sides of the gear 200.- The plates 201 each carry rotatably mounted pinions 203A located so that the same continuously mesh with different portions of the gear 200, (Figs. 12 and 13). Associated with each pinion 203 is a ratchet 209, for controlling the direction of the rotation of the same, and spring-pressed pawl 2|0 pivotally connected to the side of the respective plates 201 towards the gear 200. The arrangement is such that when the plates are moved to rotate the pinions 203 in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 12, the same are locked by the respective cooperating pawl and ratchet members and a resultant movement of the gear 200 is obtained. When, however, the plates are moved in a direction to rotate the pinions in a clockwise direction, the same are free to ride upon the gear 200, the ratchet moving over its associated pawl permitting rotation of the pinions 203 which in this event exercise no influence upon the gear. In the instant case, to obtain the desired degree of travel of the driven gear 200, the influence thereon of the plates 201 is necessarily exerted at different intervals.

The pitman for the plate 201 located to the outwardly disposed side of the gear 200 is indicated by the reference number 2|| and the corresponding pitman for the inwardly disposed plate is indicated by the number 2|2. 'I'he pitman 2|| is urged to oscillate the plate 201 about its axis 20| by means of a gear 2|3 (Fig. 4) which is loosely mounted on the left-hand end of the main shaft 31 of the disclosed tabulating machine. Pitman 2|2 is moved through means of a further gear 2H, rotatably situated on a suitable stub shaft projecting from the side of the frame 20 toward the rear of the head unit of the tabulator, this gear meshing with the driving gear 2|3. In order to transmit the motion of the tabulator shaft 31 to drive the long feed mechanism, the gear 2|3 is provided with a hub upon which is pivotally mounted a spring-pressed dog 2|5 having a connecting toothed portion 2|6 adapted to engage a notch 2 1 located in a clutch .of the tabulator. 4bell-crank 222, long link 223 and arm 224. After disc sleeve 2|8 fixed upon the shaft 31. The dog 2|5 is normally positioned against the iniluence of its associated spring by means of a pivotally mounted latch member 2|8 which engages the tail 221 thereof, the normal positions of these parts being clearly shown in Fig.4.

lLatch member 2|9 is suitably located upon the tabulator head frame and is rendered ineffective by means of linkage connections receiving actuation from the front totalizer shaft 220 This linkage includes link 22 I,

each tripping of the latch 2|9 to release the dog 2|5, the linkage returns to a normal position to engage the tail 221 of the dog to prevent continuation of the movement of the long feed mechanism for more than a single revolution of the driving gear 2|3. Actuation of the totalizer shaft 220 of the tabulator is effected in a manner well known'in the art, through meansL of the total taking cam shaft 38, and occurs at the start of a total taking cycle of the machine. lTo allow for the printing of the total taken on this machine cycle before voperation of the long feed mechanism, the notch 2|1 of the disc 2|8 does not pick up the unlatched dog 2 I3 until the completion of slightly more than one-half of the accounting machine cycle. Then, upon rotation of the gear 2|3, the pitman 2|| is first .effective to pull the outer plate 201 in a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 4), thereby moving gear 200 to start the long feed of the paper as heretofore described between rollers 13 and 64, 64 `and 12, guides |20 and |2|, rollers 4| and 42, 44 and 2|, and 45 and 2| to bring the same to the first line position on the form adapted to receive a printed entry. After gear 2|4 has rotated sufficiently to bring the pitman 2|2 into effective feeding position, its associated plate 201 and pinion 208, when moving at the same speed as the plate controlled by pitman 2H, also pick up the gear 200 and continue to rotate the same. After gear 2|3 has passed through the one-hundred and eighty degrees of effective travel, the gear 2|4 still continues to advance the feed gear 200 to thereby attain the required movement of the paper necessary under the present conditions. On the return stroke of the pitmans 2|| and 2|2, there is no feeding action of the `gear 200, the

`roller controlling gear portions, of the mechanism rbeing at rest. The operation of the long feed mechanism takes place during the latter half of each total cycle of the machine and extends into the early part of each following normal, machine cycle.-

Slotted arm ||4, through which` arm |22 of fthe operating mechanism ofthe first feed mechanism is controlled, is pivotally connected to the exterior plate 201, as designated at 225.

A suitable frame receptacle indicated in` part at 226 is mounted at the front of the machine to receive the paper sheets as the same are disr charged from the front feed rollers 62 1|.

By means of a clutch, shown in Figs. 14, 17,

l 18, and 19, the platen may be adjusted to move movable with the knob as one piece and retained with it on the platen shaft by a limiting screw 233. A clutch driven member 234 is keyed on shaft 23| to the left of sleeve 232, and between it and a limit piece 235 is a sleeve 236 loose on the shaft and carrying the line space ratchet 24, pinion |50 of the compensating feed mechanism, and toothed wheel 26 of the detent mechanism. A clutch driving member 231 (Fig. 18) is also xed on sleeve 236 andhas about its periphery a number of grooves 238, in the present case thirty, defined by teeth 239. Clutch driven member 234 is provided with a number of finger pieces 24|), in this instance eleven, spaced about its periphery and having lprojecting ends 24| which overlie and are adapted to engage the grooves 238. The finger pieces 240 are pivotally connected to member 234 at 242 and are yieldingly urged into engagement with grooves 238 by an annular spring 243. Perpendicular to the main portion of finger pieces 240, endpieces 244 extend inwardly within the open end of member 234 and contact the disengaging sleeve 232, which ordinarily is held retracted by spring 243 acting through nger pieces 240. Movement of the platen 2| by the line space and compensating feed mechanisms is made possible through the engagement of finger pieces 240 with grooves 238.

In order to provide movement of the platen by means of the hand knob 230, the knob 230 and disengaging sleeve 232 are pressed inwardly so that the latter rocks the finger pieces 240 out of engagement wtih grooves 238 against the pressure of spring 243. The finger pieces 240 and grooves 238 are arranged in such a way that one or more of the finger pieces will always be in engagement -with one of the grooves 238 when the knob 230 is released, no matter how their relative positionsmay have been changed. InFig. 19,for example, two of the finger pieces 240 are shown in engagement at 245.

Operation (Figs. 1, 3, 4, 15, and 16) The handling 4of the individual paper sheets by the associated mechanisms herewith provided to feed the same from the stack, through the machine, and to the receptacle 226 will be considered from a point of view of the sequential ,treatment of one of the sheets of the stack.

The rst position of this sheet is one in stacked relation with a plurality of other sheets maintained in the depository or feed table as noted at ||5, Fig. 3.

After the sheets below the considered sheet in the stack are fed from the depository, its second position is one of rest in a definitely maintained curved manner upon the surface of the picker knife |03, and upon the surface ofthe preceding paper sheet situated upon the projecting arch piece 93 and the curved plate 91.

, The third position of the sheet is indicated at ||6A (Fig. 1) in which the same is tightly pressed against the feed rollers 13 and 64 by the feeding edge of the picker knife |03. This feeding operation is effected in the following manner. Upon operation of the long feed mechanism, the slotted link ||4, Fig. 4, is urged to move the reciprocative base 90 so that the picker knife |03 is clear of the defined depository, permitting the sheet to rest directly upon the provided arch paper supporting members inasmuch as the preceding sheet has been removed by rollers 13 and 64, the slotted link conditioning the feed mechanism for effective operation. This means also simultaneously conditions the pointed arm |12 (Fig. 16) for effective operation by moving the same above the cooperating lug |13 of the restoring instrumentalities of the compensating feed mechanism. Then, upon completion of the long feed operation and the return of the mechanism to normal under influence of spring 206, slotted link lil is withdrawn and spring Il! forms the means by which the conditioned parts are urged through` an effective operation to return the arm |I| to its normal limiting hub contacting position H3. In this position, the edge of the considered sheet fed through the curved feed throat is positively positioned to facilitate further feeding movement of the sheet.

The fourth position of the considered paper sheet is shown at I ISB (Fig. 1) in which the same is located at the uniform first entry designating position on the forms. This feeding movement is also accomplished by the operation of the long feed mechanism which, through gear 200 as heretofore described. causes rotation of the rollers 13 and 6l, 12 and 64, 4| and platen 2| to obtain the desired constant distance of travel of the sheets in the machine.

The sheet is then line-spaced by movement of the platen under control of the usual line-space mechanism of the tabulator, such movement occurring after each printing of the form designated items of entry on this particular sheet. For purposes of illustration, the particular sheet may be considered the representative bill shown in Fig. 20 which indicates that, in the instant case, three such separate line-spaced items A, B, and C were printed thereon by the machine.

, By each line-spacing movement of the platen 2|,

through pinion |5|i and gear |5l, the lever |56 of the effectively conditioned compensating feed mechanism is-urged correspondingly towards its forward limiting post |60, this action taking place without influencing the position of the mechanisms operating link |11. After operation of the machine to print the individual itemized entries for a given account, the same is conditioned to pass through a blank stroke cycle of operation prior to the initiation of a total taking cycIe, at which time a total of the individua entries is also printed at the uniformly located sixth line-space position (T) on the sheets which is eiected by movement of lever |56 through the remaining distance to its stop |60, which is equivalent in extent to two normal line-space operations of the platen 2l. The compensating feed control mechanism is then restored to normal position in inactive condition against its rear limiting post |63 by influence of the spring |62, the same remaining in this position until operation. The compensating feed control mechanism is consequently in inactive condition during each operation of the long feed mechanism. The line-space locations of the given paper sheet may be considered the fifth position thereof, while the location to which the sheet is advanced by the'compensating feed mechanism, at the completion of its operation, may be considered the sixthlposition of the sheet.

'I'he seventh position of the considered paper sheet is shown at II6C (Fig. 1), to which the same has been advanced by the usual operations of the long feed mechanism, through rotation of rollers Il, I2 and 63, and 1| and 62.

In the eighth position, the sheet is moved, by further operation of the long feed mechanism, through means of rollers 1| and 52 so that it is projected into the receptacle 226 at the front of the machine.

'I'he respective attachments and controlling instrumentalities forming the embodiment of the present invention, as well as the required accessory rollers and guide members, may be readily dismantled from the tabulator head unit to restore the machine to normal condition.

While I have described what I consider to be highly desirable embodiments of my invention, it is obvious that many changes in form could be made without departing from the spirit of my invention, and I, therefore, do not limit myself to the exact form herein shown and described, nor to anything less than the whole of my invention as hereinbefore set forth, and as hereinafter claimed.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A device of the character described comprising a depository for a stack of individual sheets of paper from which the sheets are capable of being fed one at a time, intermittently operated feed rollers associated with said depository, a picker knife for feeding individual sheets of paper from the depository. said knife being situated with relation to the feed rollers to retain the edge of the sheet fed from the depository tightly pressed against the stationarily positioned feed rollers when the knife is inactively positioned, and means for rotating said feed rollers to feed the thusly positioned paper sheets.

2. In a cyclically operable paper feeding device comprising a magazine for storing paper forms, a form feeding mechanism to convey said forms to a printing position, and a picker mechanism to convey said forms from the magazine to the form feeding mechanism, the combination of common operating means for the picker mechanism and the form feeding mechanism, a driving connection between the operating means and the form feeding mechanism effective during the first portion of a cycle, and a. driving connection between the operating means and the picker mechanism rendered effective after the beginning of the operation of the form feeding mechanism and rendered ineffective after the operation of the form feeding mechanism is completed.

after the completion of an operation of the long Y feed mechanism which takes place during the following or total taking cycle of the machine. At that time, the restoring instrumentalities including finger piece |64 are urged by the pointed arm member V|12 so that the finger |64 strikes i against lug |65 to move the latch lever |55 to its locked position thus conditioning the compensating feed control mechanism for eective and the form feeding mechanism effective during the first portion of a cycle, a driving connection between the operating means and the picker mechanism effective to completev operation of the latter to convey a form to the feeding mechanism after the feeding mechanism is stopped, and a lost motion connection in said last recited driving connection whereby the operation of the picker mechanism is started after the beginning of the operation of the form feeding mechanism.

4. In a cyclically operable paper feeding device comprising a magazine for storing paper forms, a form feeding mechanism to convey said forms to a printing position, and a picker mechanism to convey said forms from the magazine to the form feeding mechanism. the combination of means to operate the form feeding mechanism during the first portion of a cycle, means to operate the picker mechanism and complete such operation after the form feeding mechanism is stopped, and a lost motion connection in the picker mechanism operating means whereby the operation of the picker mechanism is started after the beginning of the operation of the form feeding mechanism.

5. In a cyclically operable paper feeding device comprising a magazine for storing paper forms, a form feeding mechanism to convey said forms to a printing position, and a picker mechanism to convey said forms from the magazine to the form feeding mechanism, the combination of common operating means for the picker mechanism andthe form feeding mechanism. said operating means having a reciprocating motion completed during a cycle of machine operation, a driving connection between the operating means and the form feeding mechanism whereby the form feeding mechanism is actuated during movement of the operating means in one direction in the first part of a cycle, a driving connection between the operating means and the picker mechanism wherebythe picker mecha-- nism is operable during movement of the operating means in both directions, and a lost motion connection in said last recited driving connection whereby operation of the picker mechanism is started after the beginning of operation of the form feeding mechanism.

6. In a cyclically operable paper feeding device comprising a magazine for storing paper forms, a form feeding mechanism to convey said forms to a printing position, and a picker mechanism to convey said forms from the magazine to the form feeding mechanism, the combination of a cyclically oscillating member, a driving gear for the feed roll mechanism, a pinion mounted on said oscillating member engaging with and rotatable about said gear, a ratchet fixed to said pinion, and a pawl pivoted on said oscillating member and cooperating with said ratchet, the` picker mechanism, and a lost motion connection in said last recited means whereby operation of the picker mechanism is started after the beginning of the operation of the form feeding mechanism.

JOHN MUELLER. 

